NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Influence of variable rates of neritic carbonate deposition on atmospheric carbon dioxide and pelagic sedimentsShort-term imbalances in the global cycle of shallow water calcium carbonate deposition and dissolution may be responsible for much of the observed Pleistocene change in atmospheric carbon dioxide content. However, any proposed changes in the alkalinity balance of the ocean must be reconciled with the sedimentary record of deep-sea carbonates. The possible magnitude of the effect of shallow water carbonate deposition on the dissolution of pelagic carbonate can be tested using numerical simulations of the global carbon cycle. Boundary conditions can be defined by using extant shallow water carbonate accumulation data and pelagic carbonate deposition/dissolution data. On timescales of thousands of years carbonate deposition versus dissolution is rarely out of equilibrium by more than 1.5 x 10(13) mole yr-1. Results indicate that the carbonate chemistry of the ocean is rarely at equilibrium on timescales less than 10 ka. This disequilibrium is probably due to sea level-induced changes in shallow water calcium carbonate deposition/dissolution, an interpretation that does not conflict with pelagic sedimentary data from the central Pacific.
Document ID
20040089460
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Walker, J. C.
(University of Michigan Ann Arbor, United States)
Opdyke, B. C.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Paleoceanography
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0883-8305
Subject Category
Exobiology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-179
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Exobiology
Non-NASA Center

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available